Princess Leigh-Cheri, an exiled redhead living in a Seattle suburb, falls in love with Bernard Mickey Wrangle, an outlaw bomber known as the Woodpecker. Their romance begins at a Care Feast in Hawaii and continues through a shared imprisonment. The narrative investigates the mystery of the Camel cigarette pack, the historical role of redheads, and the metaphysical properties of red hair. Much of the action concerns Leigh-Cheri’s attempt to live a life of principled environmentalism while resisting the chaotic nihilism of the man she loves.
This book serves readers who value absurdism and linguistic gymnastics over traditional plot structures. It attracts those interested in the cultural intersection of 1970s radicalism and 1980s materialism. Readers find a cynical but humorous meditation on how to maintain a romantic connection in a world facing political decay and environmental collapse. It provides a toolkit for finding meaning in small objects and an argument for choosing passion over safety.
Open-ended; a moderate read.
Best for readers like The Story Seeker. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 1980
- Language
- EN
